Journal Classic Cars

According to Irish folklore, a Banshee is a female spirit whose wailing warns of an impending death. At Dodge, there’s a taste of irony as the Charger Daytona SRT Banshee is rumored to be no more.

Talk with a veteran from Chrysler and (s)he may still have a bad taste of German in his/her mouth. While the Hellcat may have been the mouthwash Auburn Hills needed, that bad taste—this time, Italian with a hint of multinational—has been tough to shake off. The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee may be the physical manifestation of why.

The Chrysler Corporation . . . er, Stellantis North America’s portfolio was quite long in the tooth when the 300, Challenger, and the previous-gen Charger were discontinued for 2024. However, from a branding point of view, all was forgotten because V8 Mopars spelled fun. Cultural aspects from the past—bright colors and nods to long-dead models—were mined to good effect, while the quest for horsepower was achieved to absurd levels. If there ever was a moment to refer to “’Murica” without an ounce of sarcasm, It was in the form of an SRT Dodge.

And then, strangely, Stellantis ditched the Challenger and the Hemi Charger, plus all the positive equity for the brand. Truth be told, many manufacturers were moving towards electric architectures, if not turbocharged engines missing two cylinders. Considering Chrysler and Dodge’s parent is European, this should not have been a surprise.

Yet with the pendulum arcing back, many manufacturers that have made investments in electrification have backed off. This has been problematic for Dodge’s current crop of EV Chargers because they haven’t been selling, and the rollout of turbo-six Chargers has been slow, so we can’t say if and how the American public has warmed up to them. But if we know Americans, then there will be no substitute for a V8.

The Charger Daytona SRT Banshee was supposed to be the EV version of the Hellcat, so to speak, with an 800-volt architecture—up 200 volts from the standard Charger Daytona—and around 1000 horsepower. Alas, it doesn’t appear that we will see this Charger in showrooms. Car and Driver says a representative from Dodge has not confirmed the story.

As the Godfather of the Hellcat, Tim Kuniskis, has played a part in the revival of SRT, we would love to hear his take. Considering the 5.7-liter Hemi is returning to the Ram 1500, and the 6.4-liter Hemi-powered Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 has inspired a similar Jeep Gladiator, we can only wonder what Dodge has in store for American enthusiasts.

At Electrify Expo Phoenix 2025, we spoke with Peter Culin, the vice president and co-founder of both the Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association and the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Drive Electric Arizona. He told us about what led to him buying his first EVs and his Rivian R1S, which he regularly uses to tow a travel trailer all around Arizona. We also learned about his organizations and the efforts they’re making to educate consumers about electric vehicles and provide charging options to EV owners without home chargers. It was an enlightening conversation full of useful information and ongoing developments that stand to make EV ownership easier in the future.

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Quick! Can you name an automotive museum? Few of us are graced with the presence of one nearby, so it could be easy to know none. Nonetheless, car museums trace a segment of history that is important beyond the enthusiast, and one of the best is one you possibly haven’t heard of: Stahl’s Motors & Music Experience.

The museum “… began as a personal journey to preserve and celebrate the craftsmanship of the past has grown into a dynamic, nonprofit destination dedicated to education, inspiration, and community.” Since opening 14 years ago, Mary and Ted Stahl have expanded the museum to include cars and automotive ephemera to great success. With a visit, you are also surrounded by a team of passionate professionals who have love for the art, culture, and history of the artifacts within.

Honestly, I visit to view the cars, but I left wanting more time to explore the mechanical musical instruments. Think of automated music like a self-playing piano and you’d be on the right track, but this category of antiques is so much more vibrant, gee-whiz, and amazing than you’ve ever imagined. The above c.1915 Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violino plays piano with violin accompaniment, though there are several violins within the console. It’s truly amazing to hear it make music, which you can do here. Pipe organs and other fangled instruments are also part of the collection.

Nonetheless, the automotive segment of the museum did not disappoint—it’s righteous, an amalgamation of automobiles from the earliest days to more modern times. It certainly is eclectic so there will always be something new for folks to appreciate. There is also ample examples of neon, signs, gas pumps, and other automotive ephemera not unlike what you’d find at a Barrett-Jackson automobilia auction.

Located just north of the Detroit suburbs in Chesterfield, Michigan, Stahl’s Motors & Music Experience is a must-visit destination for Michiganders and those who live near the Great Lake State. It’s truly a special place both for enthusiasts and the significant others who end up being dragged to a museum kicking and screaming yet fall in love with the depth of history within.

You can’t relive the past, but you can buy pieces of it. If you were a kid who thought the Hummer H1 was the coolest vehicle on the planet in the mid-2000s or you had one and regret selling it, be sure to register to bid at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction. That’s where you can win one of the ultimate H1s: a one-year-only 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha Open-Top Custom.

Several years after purchasing the Hummer brand from AM General, General Motors announced that the 2006 H1 would receive its new Alpha treatment, a series of upgrades designed to maximize performance. One of the most significant modifications was swapping out the previous Optimizer engine for GM’s Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8, which cranked out 300 horsepower at 3,000 rpm (a 46-percent increase) and 520 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 rpm (up 18 percent). GM channeled that grunt through an Allison M74 1000-series five-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive.

Those major switches not only dropped the H1 Alpha’s 0-60 mph by three ticks to 13.5 seconds, but they also added to its towing capabilities: the Gross Combined Weight Rating went up an entire ton to 17,300 pounds. Hummer paired the Duramax’s higher fuel economy with an extra 9.5 gallons of fuel tank capacity (for a whopping 51.5 gallons), boosting the H1 Alpha’s potential driving range from 400 to an estimated 570 miles.

Installing the Duramax required Hummer to raise the H1 Alpha’s aluminum body by two inches, putting more space between it and the rugged terrain it was made to traverse. A larger set of 12-inch hydroboost power disc brakes brought the Alpha to a stop no matter where it went. The H1’s trick portal axles were equipped with beefed-up half-shafts; new helical-cut gears helped them engage more easily and quietly.

This particular Bright White H1 Alpha Open-Top Custom is even more capable thanks to the optional Adventure Package. This added a 12,000-pound front winch, front and rear Eaton electronic locking differentials, and 17-inch wheels with dual beadlocks to keep the 37-inch Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs in place.

Aftermarket side steps assist entry into the cabin, which features black leather seating for four, heated front seats, power everything, cruise control, front and rear air conditioning, and switches for the Central Tire Inflation System. A Pioneer touchscreen infotainment system with aftermarket speakers and dual Alpine headrest screens also has been installed. Listening to the sounds of nature instead of the radio is as easy as removing the black soft top and stuffing it under the bed’s tonneau cover.

Sadly, the 2006 model year was the first and last for the Hummer H1 Alpha—and the end of the civilian version of the H1 as a whole. The good news is that you can get this 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha Open-Top Custom when it crosses the block at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction, running October 15-18.

Register to bid at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction—choose your various options here.

Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SL, which was originally a Canadian-market car and imported into the U.S. earlier this year. It’s powered by a 5.5-liter V8 connected to a four-speed automatic. Finished in Desert Taupe Metallic and equipped with a dark brown convertible top over a Brazil Brown leather interior, this final-year R107 SL is now offered by the selling dealer in Phoenix. It comes with a color-matched removable hardtop, car cover, owner’s manual, service log, maintenance records, ownership history, clean CARFAX report, and clear title.

The tasteful, reserved Desert Taupe Metallic body features fog lights, black bumpers with bright trim, quad round headlights, power driver-side mirror, trunk lid-mounted third brake light, and a pair of exhaust outlets.

A dark brown manual soft top with three plastic rear windows covers the passenger compartment. For a more coupe-like roofline, the soft top can be stored under the tonneau cover and replaced with the included body-color hardtop.

Whether the top is up, down, soft, or hard, this SL cruises down the road on a set of 15-inch “Gullideckel” wheels and 205/65 Continental ContiTouring Contact tires. Behind the wheels are power four-wheel antilock disc brakes.

The cabin offers Brazil Brown leather seating for two. Amenities include cruise control, power steering, heated seats, woodgrain trim, power antenna, Becker Grand Prix AM/FM/cassette radio, automatic climate control, and power windows.

Instrumentation consists of a 260-kph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, clock, and gauges for the temperature (in Celsius), fuel level, oil pressure, and fuel economy. The odometer shows 136,451 kilometers (84,786 miles), which is slightly above the CARFAX report’s latest mileage reading of 84,556 miles from April 2025.

The M117 5.5-liter V8 is fuel-injected and paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Earlier this year, the engine was fully serviced, the A/C was recharged, and the fuel pumps, gas tank, air injection pump, and main engine computer were replaced.

If you want to own this 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SL roadster, bid on it right now. The auction ends on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Back in 2011, Joe LoCicero of Maine became known as “Million Mile Joe” when his beloved blue 1990 Honda Accord rolled one million miles. It looked a lot like this one, but with 20 times the miles. The Pick of the Day is this low-mileage 1992 Honda Accord EX-R sedan listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Champlain, New York.

LoCicero’s hometown of Saco held a surprise parade for him, and Honda presented him with a brand-new 2012 Accord (also in blue) as a congratulatory gesture. Unfortunately, Joe passed away not long afterward at the young age of 58 in the summer of 2016, but his legacy lives on among Honda high-mileage aficionados (including myself). Honda continues to display Joe’s Accord in its Torrance, California, museum.

At the other end of the mileage spectrum, there’s this car. “One owner, only 49,988 original miles, never seen winter,” the listing says. Finished in Granada Black over a gray cloth interior, this vehicle is essentially barely broken in by Honda longevity standards.

For 50 years as of 2026, the Accord will have been a key member of the Honda family, and it has consistently been one of the best-selling cars in the United States. By the 1990s, the Accord held a sizeable chunk of its very competitive market segment (Ford Taurus, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry were some of its rivals). One magazine advertisement from the period asked, “When’s the last time you saw a car chase that lasted 17 years?” It went on to say, “While the competition remains relentless in their quest to catch us, we remain dedicated to building a car that’s a few years ahead of them. Which means this chase might be just getting started, after all.”

The “CB7” chassis Accord—the model’s fourth generation—debuted in September 1989 for the 1990 model year. One of the main design changes involved replacing the prior model’s pop-up headlights with fixed units. In addition, the car grew into the midsize segment with a longer wheelbase and increased overall length. Body styles were offered in coupe, sedan, and station wagon variants. One of the things to mention about this sedan is that the EX-“R” was a Canada-only trim level, and it aligned with the U.S.-specification “EX” models. Equipment included a driver’s-side airbag, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, and a power moonroof. Notice the instruments are in kilometers, consistent with its Canadian origin.

Under the hood is an “F22A” 2.2-liter inline-four mated to an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transaxle. Honda rated the EX at 140 horsepower and 137 lb-ft of torque. Accords from the 1990s are known for exceptional reliability, and Joe’s car was a testament to that.

So, what are you waiting for? The long road ahead is calling, and this Accord’s ready to tackle it provided you are willing to pay $12,999.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com

As a Phoenix transplant, I often find myself confused by other drivers. Why do they drive so fast? Why is everyone so aggressive? (Those questions may explain why there are so many accidents on the Loop 101.) Within the past two years, several other questions have come to mind: Why have I seen people here drive with a phone up to their ear? Don’t they know Bluetooth exists?

I could understand people not being aware of Bluetooth if it was some newfangled technology that came out last year, but that’s not the case. Its origins date back to 1996, when Intel, Ericsson, and Nokia “met to plan the standardization of … short-range radio technology to support connectivity and collaboration between different products and industries,” according to the Bluetooth website. The name Bluetooth was inspired by a historical figure from centuries earlier: King Harald Gormsson, who was nicknamed “Bluetooth” for the color of his dead tooth. He united Denmark and Norway in 958, much as Intel and its competitors wanted to connect the PC and cellular industries with a short-range wireless link.

Bluetooth, whether factory-installed or in an aftermarket head unit, has been available in cars for several decades, providing users the ability to stream music and carry on phone conversations through their vehicle’s sound system while on the go. Practically every new car has it these days, especially the pricey ones. Despite this, I have seen three people holding their smart phone to their cheek as they drive. Two of them were in late-model Bentleys; the person I spotted doing this most recently was behind the wheel of a C8 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. I know the ’90s are back in style these days, but there’s a big difference between wearing a baggy shirt and keeping one hand on your phone while you cruise. It’s distracting to the driver and the people who drive past who are struck by the odd sight of a person so clearly and needlessly living in the past (business idea: start selling throwback “Perot for President” bumper stickers).

Perhaps the people I saw living in yesteryear were in rentals or in cars owned by the dealerships that employ them. Maybe they didn’t want their personal phone linked to a car that wasn’t theirs. Whatever the case may be, it’s possible to delete your phone from a car’s Bluetooth system.

I understand a certain reluctance to embrace tech because some of it can be unnecessarily convoluted (having to adjust your power mirrors using an infotainment system’s touchscreen, for instance), but I’ve connected my iPhone to the Bluetooth in hundreds of review vehicles over the last decade without an issue. It makes life so much easier—for those who let it.

During Monterey Car Week, we got an up-close look at the Lamborghini Essenza SCV12, which was unlike anything you’d ever spot on the street. Built by Squadra Corse in 2020, it’s Lamborghini’s most extreme track-only car ever! Only 40 were made, with just 7 making it to the U.S. This one, chassis 11604, has single-digit road miles (it hasn’t been driven on a track) and it’s the only Essenza in the world with crimson-tinted exposed carbon fiber. Underneath the rear bodywork is Lamborghini’s most powerful naturally aspirated engine ever: a 6.5-liter V12 that pumps out 819 horsepower and screams to 8,500 rpm. In person, the Essenza SCV12 seemed less like a car and more like a prototype racer with a Lamborghini badge. It sold for a whopping $1,490,000 at auction!

This video is sponsored by our friends at Borro. For the trusted source in liquidity when you need it most, call Borro today at (720) 458-6788 or learn more at borro.com.

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It has been over 13 years since the legendary Carroll Shelby passed away at age 89, but the iconic Mustangs that his team crafted continue to captivate performance-car enthusiasts around the globe. Featured on AutoHunter is this 1966 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350H fastback. It is being sold by a dealer in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the auction will end Friday, October 3, 2025, at 12:45 p.m. (PDT).

Nicknamed “Rent-a-Racer,” the GT350H was a high-performance variant of Ford’s popular pony car that was made available to the public via a unique partnership with the Hertz rental car company. The ‘H’ in the car’s name, as one would expect, indicated that it was part of the Hertz program. A May 1966 story from Car and Driver says that the going rate for such a rental—in New York, anyway—was $17 per day and 17 cents per mile.

Most of the 1,001 produced GT350H models were finished in Raven Black (code A) like this one. According to the listing, the car went through refurbishment in 2021. Noteworthy exterior features include chrome brightwork, hood pins, gold striping, driver’s-side mirror, and 14-inch Magnum 500-style wheels wrapped in Goodyear Blue Streak tires. The interior has been graced by Shelby’s signature on the dashboard. Cockpit equipment includes black vinyl low-back bucket seats, lap belts, AM radio, heater, Cobra-branded shifter, and wood-look tilt-away steering wheel.

Shelby’s primary Los Angeles facility, which was located near LAX airport, handled the many upgrades that would set apart a stock Mustang from a GT350—the most notable of which included enhancements to the drivetrain and suspension. Under the hood of this GT350H is a Hi-Po 289ci V8 mated to a SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic C4 three-speed automatic transmission. One big update took place later in life when the car received a Paxton supercharger, which was available from the factory.

The AutoHunter listing outlines some of the car’s mechanical features, which include an Autolite 595cfm four-barrel carburetor, cast-aluminum high-rise intake manifold, “tri-Y” headers, a baffled aluminum oil pan, and Cobra valve covers. The odometer shows 80,092 miles, which the selling dealer asserts to be an accurate reading (the title reads mileage-exempt).

Car and Driver said, “Good things do come for the driver of a GT350. Its cornering ability is a lovely mixture of the beast getting the better of you and you keeping hold of the tiger’s tail. The taut suspension, well-controlled geometry, and big tires suffice to keep it on the road at insane speeds.”

After seeing that the GT350H went for $17 per day in 1966, I was curious how much it would cost to rent a high-performance car in modern day. Turns out, a 2010 Ferrari California can be rented for $381 per day in Phoenix via Turo. Given the choice, though, I’d opt for a classic Shelby all day long.

The auction for this 1966 Shelby GT350H Fastback ends Friday, October 3, 2025, at 12:45 p.m. (PDT). Accompanying the car are a copy of the original delivery receipt and a serial number verification document from the Shelby American Automobile Club.

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

If you commonly associate the BMW M3 with the coupe (and maybe a convertible), you’re not alone. But if you visit a BMW dealership today, you’ll find that every M3 is a sedan. It’s easy to prefer the coupe—now known as M4—but our Pick of the Day is a vehicle that will make you forget about the Bimmer with the two doors. This 2011 BMW M3 Competition Sedan is listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Oviedo, Florida.

The M3 first appeared in 1986 in the generation known as “E30”. Much like the Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Road Runner Superbird were homologation specials for NASCAR, the M3 was the same for the DTM and Group A Touring series. It was powered by a 2.3-liter DOHC inline-four putting out 197 horsepower but, thanks to the feds in DC, those with a catalytic converter lost five horses. The M3 was mainly available as a coupe, though a handful of cabriolets were built—none for the American market.

The M3 moved into the “E36” generation for 1993, though it didn’t appear in North America until 1995. New was a 3.0-liter DOHC inline-six rated at 282 horsepower but, once again, North Americans had to make do with less, though the difference was a much more profound 42 horses. M3 models for 1996 were upgraded to 3.2 liters and 316 horsepower, but pity the poor North Americans as they once again had to make do with 240 horsepower, though torque was slightly higher. This generation featured an M3 sedan for the first time, with the convertible also being mainstreamed into production.

For 2001, the “E46” M3 coupe and convertible returned with a 3.2-liter straight-six putting out 343 horsepower. North Americans gave a sigh of relief because now they were not treated as second-class citizens since BMW was able to create an engine certified the world over, though horses fell to 333 thanks to minor specification differences that likely could not be felt by the seat of the pants.

And then there was the “E9x” M3, known as such because BMW offered the M3 as an E92 (coupe), E93 (convertible) and, in a return to the fold, the E90 (sedan). Interestingly, this generation of M3, which began for the 2008 model year, was powered by a DOHC V8 measuring 4.0 liters. Horsepower was 414 the world over, marking the first time that North Americans didn’t have to settle for second-best. Starting in 2011, the “ZCP” Competition Package became available for the coupe and sedan. This reduced the ride height by 10 mm, revised the tuning of the Electronic Damping Control, added a track-oriented M Dynamic Mode for the Dynamic Stability Control, and upgraded the wheels to Y-spoke 19-inchers.

This 2011 BMW M3 Competition Sedan is interesting because 2011 was the first year for the Competition Package and the final year for the E90 M3 (though the conventional E90 continued for two more years). For the model year, 2,170 M3 sedans were built, of which 1,220 were equipped with the Competition Package. Of those, only five M3s were built in Fire Orange, one of 30 special-order M3s painted in a “different” color. According to the seller, “the original owner [spent] 10s of thousands of dollars on modifications on top of the $72,325 MSRP,” leaving us with a completely unique vehicle. “To keep the Fire Orange paint looking flawless, both the front end and rear bumper have been wrapped in Paint Protection Film and the entire car has been ceramic coated, meaning that even 12 years after production, the paint shows like new.” The front seats have been upgraded with AMC Custom BMW M Performance buckets with leather, Alcantara, and orange accents.

Of course, it’s the engine that’s the star, and it’s been enhanced with an ESS 650 supercharger kit that helps the V8 achieve 527 horsepower. There’s plenty more that’s been done to this Bimmer so, even if you’ve been itching for a coupe, it can be said that the number of doors is a hint there’s more to this $69,980 Bimmer.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com